Bacteroides–Escherichia interactions contribute to colonization resistance against Clostridioides difficile - Nature

Picture of China's space station rice experiment. Photo: China Central TelevisionChina's space station has welcomed a new "autumn harvest," with astronauts collecting, sowing and storing a new batch of rice experiment samples last week, marking further progress in research on rice cultivation in space, CCTV News reported on Sunday. The research project, which focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating multigenerational genetic stability and environmental adaptability of rice in space, is progressing smoothly, according to the media report. The latest experiment is expected to grow two generations of rice in orbit for the first time, helping researchers understand the mechanisms through which prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the genetic stability of rice. In addition to the rice experiment, the astronauts conducted touch-interaction tests with Xiaohang, their robotic companion aboard the space station. The tests collected data on the robot's movements in response to  different types of physical contact, providing data to improve its motion planning for future operations in orbit.